Sona Thakkar

She is an accomplished executive leader, communications strategist, and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in public health, government communications, and strategic partnerships. She is the Founder and Travel Coach of Persona Travels by Sona, a travel brand built on the belief that meaningful travel begins with understanding the person taking the journey, with every experience intentionally designed around individual personas, values, and rhythms. Her earlier career includes over twenty-one years at the National Cancer Institute, where she served as Senior Advisor in the Center for External Affairs, External Relations Branch Chief, and Deputy Associate Director of Public Affairs, leading large-scale public campaigns including the National Cancer Act 50th Anniversary, managing communications for NCI's Annual Budget Proposal, and directing cross-functional teams of 30 or more on initiatives including the Cancer Moonshot and National Cancer Plan. She also served as Acting Director of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances at the FDA Center for Tobacco Products and as Associate Vice President at Matthews Media Group. Her career reflects a deep commitment to strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and creating meaningful, personalized experiences.